https://von.gov.ng/- Nigeria has extended visa-free access to citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis (SKN), effective immediately, marking the first time it has granted such privilege to a country outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and beyond the African continent.
The policy shift breaks new ground in Nigeria’s foreign relations, creating a direct trade and mobility corridor linking Africa and the Caribbean.
Previously, Nigeria’s visa-free regime was confined primarily to ECOWAS member states, with only Cameroon and Chad as exceptions on the continent.
Covering ordinary, official, and diplomatic passports, the waiver aims to bolster trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connections between the two regions.
This historic development follows the successful Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS 25) held earlier this year in Abuja, organised by Aquarian Consult Limited (ACL). The summit spotlighted SKN as a strategic partner, generating momentum that culminated in the visa waiver policy.
Managing Director of Aquarian Consult Limited, ACL, Aisha Maina, hailed the move as a testament to the power of strategic facilitation.
“This visa waiver is more than diplomacy; it is about opening doors for trade, investment, and cultural exchange. At ACL, we are proud to have played a role in turning dialogue into action,” she said.
The policy announcement comes on the heels of several diplomatic milestones, including a March 2025 meeting in Abuja between Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and SKN’s Prime Minister Terrance Drew, and the launch of a historic non-stop Abuja–Basseterre charter flight that same month. The flight carried 120 Nigerian delegates and established the first direct air link between West Africa and the Caribbean.
Relations between Nigeria and SKN have expanded rapidly, with recent events such as the Afri-Caribbean Business Expo in Basseterre, co-hosted by ACL, highlighting collaboration opportunities in agribusiness, technology, and the creative economy.
In August, Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, and SKN’s Samal Duggins held bilateral talks in Abuja to advance cooperation on food security and trade facilitation.
Observers view the visa waiver as emblematic of Nigeria’s evolving foreign policy, which now embraces targeted bilateral partnerships beyond Africa to diversify trade, tourism, and diplomatic engagements.
Analysts also credit ACL and Aisha Maina’s leadership for positioning the firm as a key driver of Afri-Caribbean relations.
Looking ahead, the upcoming AACIS ’26, scheduled for March in Abuja, is expected to build on this breakthrough, potentially expanding visa-free arrangements and cooperation to other Caribbean nations.
This bold step cements Nigeria’s commitment to fostering deeper ties across the Atlantic, signalling a promising new chapter in intercontinental partnership.
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